NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	American National Government
Course Prefix & Number:		GOVT2305	Section Number:	403	Semester/Year:	F 17
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties, and civil rights.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Patterson, Thomas E.  We the People. 12th edition. McGraw Hill. (E-book with Connect Plus Access) ISBN 9781260200607

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Les Stanaland
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	lstanaland@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
12:30-1:30		12:30-1:30

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
	Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
	Demonstrate an understanding of our federal system.
	Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
	Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
	Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
	Analyze the election process.
	Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
	Analyze issues and policies in U.S. Politics.
	Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
3	Non-comprehensive Exams	60%
1	What Did You Learn Paper	10%
9 or so	Discussion Boards	30%

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

The three exams will be multiple-choice, probably around 50 questions each. They will occur at roughly equal intervals so that you do not have to study too much information at once. If you miss one of the exams, then I can count the other two at 30% each, but I would recommend avoiding that possibility at all costs. Missing two exams is not an option. The dates and course material for each exam is given in the schedule.

 

Discussion boards are chances for us to talk about important current issues that will coincide with our learning. These will be done via Canvas; I used these boards in my Summer III class and I was VERY impressed with the level of responses. I expect the same for you.

 

I use the standard grading scale:

 

A = 90-100   B = 80-89   C = 70-79   D = 60-69   F = 0-59

 

My advice for you is to shoot for at least a C. Many Universities will not accept a D for credit, whereas most public Universities will accept a C.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 9, 2017.

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______     

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

X         Government/Political Science

o         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

o         American History

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

X             Critical Thinking

o           Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

X              Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

CALENDAR

 

Dates are listed as Monday/Wednesday. I will do my best to stick to this outline, but I have the right to make any changes as necessary. If I must make a change, it will always be for your benefit.

 

August

 

28/30 – Syllabus review; Philosophies and Constitution

 

September

 

4/6 – Federalism

 

11/13 – Civil Liberties

 

18/20 – Civil Rights

 

25/27 – Review; Exam 1

 

October

 

2/4 – Congress

 

9/11 – Presidency

 

16/18 – Bureaucracy

 

23/25 – Judiciary

 

30/1 – Review; Exam 2

 

November

 

6/8 – Political Socialisation and Public Opinion

 

13/15 – Political Parties and Interest Groups

 

20/22 – TBA; possible Career Services visit; Thanksgiving Break

 

27/29 – Media

December

 

4/6 – Review Week – Study for your Final Exam; begin WDYL paper

 

11/13 – Finals week. Time and date TBA. Exam 3.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Crystal R.M. Wright
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 824
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731, ext. 4320
E-mail Address:	cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Larry Gilbert
Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 305
Telephone Number:	940-498-6216
E-mail Address:	lgilbert@nctc.edu